Epsom Salt: A Natural Home Remedy

Gallbladder Stones 04

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Posted by Mel (Philippines) on 02/01/2006

[NAY] According the the research of bill sardi, (www.knowledgeofhealth.com), stones removed after lemon-olive liver flush, are 'soap stones". it is the result of the chemical reaction in the digestive system with the olive oil, lemon and epsom salts. i proved it myself after performing the liver flush procedure. in the ct scan result after the procedure, tiny stones still remain in my gallbladder. the allegedly flush stones, which i kept in a sealed container, melts after 3 days. I now conclude that the procedure touted to remove gallstones only temporarily eliminated the symptoms attack. it will not cure the the problem. For me, the best cure is to dissolve the stones naturally and change your diet that may cause gallstone to form again.

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There are many posts about Epsom Salt Baths. I would like to know the best way to have an Epsom Salt Bath for muscular aches and pains and for High Blood Pressure. I have some questions:

1) How much Epsom Salts do you put into a Small Bath full of water?

2) Is it better to have a Warm, Hot or VERY HOT Bath - Floatation tanks are just warm - 37.9 F?

3) How long should you soak in the Bath -20 Mins- 30 Mins or 1 Hour?

4) How many times a WEEK is it safe to do it - is Daily OK?

5) Are there any side effects?

Many thanks and God Bless,

Ash

Replied by Saura Wichita, Ks 08/20/2012

The olive oil-grape juice cleanse is actually very effective at getting rid of any nausea caused by an inflamed gallbladder or pancreas, but you may have to do several cleanses simply because there are over 50,000 ducts in the liver and gallbladder that need to be cleaned out. So, to a large extent, I disagree with Mel from the Philippines. I was able to completely eliminate all of the nausea and pain that I was having by doing multiple liver cleanses. Plus, I had more energy and my skin, eyes, and digestion improved after doing multiple liver cleanses. A person should wait two weeks in between cleanses. It is true that most of the stones eliminated are typically soft and that they do melt after several days, but this does not mean that the liver/gallbladder cleanse is not effective, or that it the cleanses don't work, because I have found that with each liver/gallbladder cleanse that you do, you will get fewer stones than you got before, and that the stones that you eliminate during the first liver cleanse look older and more yellowish during than the stones in subsequent liver cleanses, which look green. Besides that, an X-ray of the liver will reveal that the texture of the liver improves by doing multiple liver cleanses. During the first cleanse that I did, the stones were only about a quarter of an inch, but during subsequent cleanses, I had some which were over an inch in size. But eventually, by about the fifth cleanse, I got to the point where no stones were being eliminated... Just a little bit of chaff, and I attribute this to the fact that I had eliminated all the major stones in my liver and gall bladder.

The idea that these stones are simply "soapstones" as suggested by Mel is not true. I was able to avoid having to have my gallbladder removed by doing the liver/gallbladder flushes. It's been twelve years since I was having gallbladder/pancreas issues, and I haven't had a problem since then. I'm glad that I took charge of my own health.

Epsom baths have eased my muscular aches and pains and I read that taking it internally also works. I am thinking of of taking Epsom Salt in Water to drink daily. How much can I add to a Litre of Water without having any laxative effect?

I also have high blood pressure - are there any side effects?

Thank you for a great web site!

Ash

Replied by Maria Gippsland, Australia 11/26/2011

Hi Ash, Some people have 1/2 teaspoon on rising and again in the evening, some take 1 teaspoon on rising (in a glass of water). But always start with a lower dose like 1/4 teaspoon. Epsom Salts can be laxative in larger doses and it varies from person to person. I don't know anyone who takes it in a litre of water but I think start with 1/4 of a teaspoon and build up to 1 teaspoon.

In regards to your high blood pressure magnesium, especially when combined with some potassium, may lower it.

You can also use it in foot baths as there is only a certain amount of magnesium we can absorb orally with epsom salts.

Be careful. My Mom didn't want her doctor to know she had gained weight so took Epsom salts regularly before her appointments. This made her blood pressure go down temporarily and she appeared pink and healthy. But she died of a heart attack due to high blood pressure that no one knew she had.

I read on Earthclinic about adding a few flakes of Epsom Salts in your tea or room temperture water to relieve aches and pains.....and sent to a friend who's mother and her are in a great deal of pain.....

However as much as I loved the taste of a few flakes of Epsom Salts in room temperature water and drank a few times a day.....I loved the taste and the warmth or sensation it gave me (like a inside body bath)...but I found it quite odd that I didn't go to the bathroom that day, and I believe it may have hindered the working department down there or something. Does it ever do that?

I am concerned because I truly LOVE the taste, but I've also been unable to digest food almost from eating way too much and drinking (which I never do) on New Years Day.....and I don't have aches and pains myself but I have a lot of waste I am trying to get rid of, and I went to the bathroom every day at least once until drinking the Epsom Salts.....WHY??

Replied by Dianna Austin, Tx 01/08/2010

this is weird because at higher doses epsom salt actually relieves constipation!

i would suggest that you take a higher dose - look on the back of the package - it has directions - and that should help a lot.

also make sure you are drinking water also. it could be that the small amount of the epsom salts have a dehydrating effect.

Hi Janice...I take Epsom Salts also, but I take it as a supplement to support the magnesium requirements in my body and not as a laxative. I take about 1/4 teaspoon Epsom Salts occasionally in a glass of water. This amount in solution will NOT act as a laxative. You would have to increase your dosage from a couple of flakes to considerably more in solution to act as a laxative. Unfortunately I can't tell you the exact dose for Epsom Salt to be used as a laxative, since I use it in a different way.

Why not just buy some Milk of Magnesia (without aluminum) and use that as a laxative?

If you read her post again, she does not state that she wanted the Epsom salts to be a laxative, she was enjoying a few flakes of it in water, but it was causing constipation. She was taking it for aches and pains and whilst that seemed to be working it was also causing constipation which she found confusing.

Moi...Thanks for your comment but I think, perhaps that you are mistaken. Here is the very last paragraph of Janice's post again:

"I am concerned because I truly LOVE the taste, but I've also been unable to digest food almost from eating way too much and drinking (which I never do) on New Years Day.....and I don't have aches and pains myself but I have a lot of waste I am trying to get rid of, and I went to the bathroom every day at least once until drinking the Epsom Salts.....WHY?"

She is implying that the Epsom salts is causing the constipation which is very unlikely. Also in Janice's post she says that she takes "a few flakes of Epsom Salts in your tea or room temperature water". How much is a few flakes?

As Ted says, Epsom salts can be used in two ways. You can take 1/8 to 1/4 of a teaspoon of Epsom salts in a glass of water frequently to replace electrolytic balance or you can take 1 to 2 teaspoons in half a glass of water, at a much higher concentration, to act as a laxative.

I suspect that Janice was not taking enough Epsom Salts to act as a laxative, which is why I tried to help her by giving the proper laxative amounts.

Replied by Moi V Ville, Ca 01/10/2010

Bill,

You are right, I did not see the last part of the post. Sorry.

Replied by Rocky Calapan, Mindoro 02/03/2010

To Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: Where i can buy Epsom Salt in Philippines? Thanks!

Replied by Bill San Fernando, Philippines 02/04/2010

Hi Rocky...In the Philippines, you can buy organic Epsom Salts(in 2 lb milk cartons) at 'Healthy Options' stores that are always in any SM Mall. 'Healthy Options' are a major Asian supplement and natural food chain.

Replied by Christina M. Mobile, Al 08/18/2011

Re: Epsom salt causing one to use the bathroom less frequently- Yes, this *can* happen, as epsom salt is hydrophilic; you need to increase your water intake a bit if you plan to use the salts. That's all you should have to do. Using them as a laxative is unnecessary and could be harmful if you are already dehydrated.

Replied by Citygirl27 Richardson, Tx, Usa 06/18/2012

My bag of epsom salts says to take 2-4 teaspoons in "8 oz" of water. I use one Tablespoon (3 tsp) and a LOT more water because a) it tastes *blech* and b) you will lose a lot of water. If you are on the smaller size, use the lower dose; larger size, use the higher dose. I use it as an inexpensive colon flush. Not really a cleanse in the strict sense, but like someone said, a bath. Almost to the point of a purge out that end. You'll know. For me it takes about 6-8 hours to take effect, so keep that in mind.

Replied by Mary Mn 08/14/2013

How often do you take the epsom salts. Can I do a colon cleanse once a week?? Is that too often?? Can the epsom salts cause high blood pressure?? How much is too much?

Genital Herpes 10

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Posted by Donna (Ogallala, USA) on 12/05/2008

[YEA] I have suffered with GH for close to 30yrs. One of the things that has helped stop an outbreak is to soak in a hot bath with epsom salts or other mineral salts. When I feel an outbreak coming I soak in the saltbath and the blisters either do not come out or go directly into the scab phase leaving out the painful part in the middle. I will try cutting out the sugar in my diet.

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Posted by Ann (Altadena, Ca) on 04/12/2013

Dear Earthclinic, If you are doing a liver flush cleanse, what is the nutrient that you need to replenish after using the epsom salts? It is Potassium, or Magnesium? I have had difficulty afterward and want to be prepared. Ann

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Posted by Rhonda (Tallahassee, FL) on 12/12/2007

[YEA] Epsom salt may be more appropriate for soaking, as the magnesium diffuses into the bloodstream more slowly, however heed to the warning labels on the bag. If you use Epsom internally as a supplement for magnesium you want to avoid giving yourself a potassium deficiency, and that goes with any magnesium supplement, but is especially important for those on a diet low in potassium, or have low blood potassium levels. Diarrhea is a sign you have taking too much, unless you're intentionally trying to use it as a laxative. I would include grapefruit and oranges in my diet especially if using Epsom, and would not use Epsom internally long periods; have a blood test done, or watch out for signs of potassium deficiency if you're a chronic Epsom user. I read that magnesium taurate was once said to be the best form of magnesium, citrate being next, especially for those with mineral imbalances and prone to heartbeat irregularities.

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Posted by Tom (Waltham, MA) on 01/31/2008

[YEA] I saw an article online today about how Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) was used to prevent Cerebral Palsy in babies. Just google "epsom salt" and "Cerebral Palsy" if you are interested to read some of the articles about this. Very interesting. Keep up the GREAT work. I LOVE this site! -Tom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Giving a woman an infusion of Epsom salts when she goes into premature labor can help protect her baby from cerebral palsy, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.

Magnesium sulfate, popularly known as Epsom salts, cut the rate of cerebral palsy in half, Dr. John Thorp, a professor of obstetrics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and colleagues reported.

"We have a cheap, widely available treatment already in hand that cuts in half the risk of babies being born with an extremely disabling disorder," Thorp said in a statement.

"And virtually every delivery room in the United States is already stocked with magnesium sulfate solutions that are given to pregnant women during childbirth for other reasons."

Dr. Alan Fleischman, medical director of the birth defect charity March of Dimes, was more cautious. "I think it is an important study," he said in a telephone interview.

But he noted that more study was needed to understand how the treatment works, and said the children were not protected from more subtle brain damage that affected intellectual and cognitive function.

Thorp's team presented their findings to a meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Dallas.

They gave either magnesium sulfate or a placebo to 2,241 women going into early labor or with ruptured membranes. The women's pregnancies were at between 24 to 31 weeks -- a full-term pregnancy goes 40 weeks.

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Posted by Rick (New Bloomfield, PA) on 07/03/2007

[YEA] No particular ailment, but I have been interested in Magnesium supplementation ever since I had a couple of "racing heart" episodes several years back, and discovered that I could calm things down by taking Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate) in water... awful taste and also a powerful laxative. I began to wonder how I could get the same effect in a more palatable way, without the laxative effect. Eventually I found the"Magnesium" webpage and learned the following:

How to make your own Magnesium water [like the 'Noah' water being sold by a certain company, which bottles water from a spring that is naturally rich in bicarbonates of Magnesium].

The assumption is that we could all use more magnesium in our diet, which may help reduce blood pressure, reduce the likelihood of kidney stones, etc.

Here's how to make your own Mg-rich drinking water:

Buy a bottle of Carbonated Seltzer water - NO SODIUM, just carbonated "fizz" water, unflavored. Refrigerate for a couple of hours.

Get another, larger bottle, and pour 2/3 of a capful of PLAIN (no-flavor) Philips Milk of Magnesia (which is Magnesium Oxide, an alkaline laxative) into the large bottle. (The bottle comes with a plastic measuring cup which is what I mean when I say 2/3 capful.)

Now quickly open the bottle of carbonated water (water carbonic acid) and empty it into the large bottle containing the 2/3 capful of Magnesia.

Shake well.

You will have a bottle of milky/cloudy liquid which is in the process of neutralization between the carbonic acid and the magnesium oxide-- leaving a neutral salt, Magnesium Bicarbonate.

Let the cloudy mixture sit for a while at room temperature, until the liquid clears; there will be some white precipitate at the bottom. Shake again and let sit again. When clear, refrigerate. THIS IS YOUR MAGNESIUM BICARBONATE CONCENTRATE. Unlike the chalky taste of straight Milk of Magnesia, or the biting-fizzy taste of seltzer water, your concentrate will have a strong, sweet, slightly "soapy" taste. You will be DILUTING it in water for drinking purposes.

When it has chilled, pour a small amount into an empty 1 liter bottle (approx. 1/2" of concentrate at the bottom) and fill the rest of the bottle with pure drinking water.

You have now created a sweet-tasting, Magnesium-enriched drinking water, and you're also getting your Bi-carbs without all the Sodium you'd be getting from Baking Soda.

I have been making and drinking this Mg water since Nov. 2006 (I write this in July of 2007) and have not had any bad effects from it. I take a bottle to work and sip it during the day. My resting heart rate seems to have gone down and I feel more relaxed in general. I can't say it has greatly improved my high blood pressure, but it has helped some, and I know I am getting enough Magnesium. Probably would be beneficial to supplement with Calcium for balance.

Try it and see what it does for you.

Replied by Julie Leslie Vale, Australia 12/19/2008

you can buy Epsom salts in a capsule from Colocaps balance made by colocaps pharmaceuticals

Replied by Isabel Tampa, Fl 12/21/2008

I would like to know how many ounces of Epsom Salts for the bottle of carbonated seltzer water?

Replied by Deby Tampa, Florida 05/05/2012

[YEA] I experienced heart palpitations and began taking equal amounts of calcium/magnesium capsules. It has helped tremendously.

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Posted by Colton (North Lauderdale, Florida) on 09/20/2008

[YEA] i'm allergic to a plant down here and unknowingly got in contact with it. i broke out in a really nasty rash on my arm and neck. A trainer at my gym told me to use epsom salt. He said it'll dry it out and kill the bacteria in it. i did and my rash cleared up in a few days and gott noticably better after each treatment. Mind you i tried all kinds of creams and allergy pills that had no effect what so ever.

Replied by Maggie Conway, Arkansas 05/15/2009

Yes Hello, I suffer all the time from rashes all types of rashes. I dont know where they come from, or anything. I always have to go get a shot at the doctors office. I have used steroid creams all types of over the counter lotions, but still no relief. Now im willing to try an alternitve. Epsom salt......who knew? I will be posting again to let you know how it turns out. Thank you so much!!!

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Posted by Aldo (Brisbane, Australia) on 06/04/2009

[YEA] Epsom Salts Worked for Sciatica!

My mother came down with sciatica last week. Immediately she went to see my brother, who is a chiropractor. That helped her a lot but the pain and discomfort was still there for her. Since then she was resting her leg as often as she could and taking pain killers when needing to walk on it for any extended period of time. When I heard about it, I had a look on this site and noticed the epsom salts testimonials. I suggested that she try having an epsom salt bath and to drink a couple of teaspoons of it with a glass of water also.

Well, I called her this morning and my mother was so excited! She said that she had a bath for about 30 minutes (and read a magazine!) with 2 cups of epsom salts on Wednesday night before going to bed. She also drank a glass of water with 2 teaspoons of epsom salts with some honey to improve the taste. She said that she slept so peacefully that night and woke up in the morning with NO PAIN! She was over the moon!

On Thursday, she drank a couple more glasses of water, epsom salts and honey and she plans to have another bath tonight (Friday). There has been no sciatica pain since waking up Thursday morning.

Thank you to Jean and Gwen for posting your results, the good news has now spread to our family too and we are passing it on to others. God Bless.

[YEA] I have found over the years that I will experience severe sciatica when I am severely constipated. When this happens I pull out the "big guns", Epsom salts. 2-4 teaspoons dissolved in water. Small amount of water followed by as much water as possible after wards. I'll use a straw to drink solution. Put straw to back of tongue beyond taste buds & suck. Taste terrible, but when I am in that much pain I'll do anything to relieve it! You can also add lemon or lime juice to lessen the taste. Pain starts to diminish after first trip to the pot. Works every time & I'm over it in less than 24 hour. Good luck & God/Goddess Bless!

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Posted by Maureen Roy (Maine, U.S.A) on 11/15/2007

[YEA] I had to post something here because a couple of months ago I saw a post from someone who said, "Anyone who has seizures, something that has worked well to control or rid people's seizures is epsom salt." ....their words were something to that effect. Well, that got me intrigued and excited. I had been looking for ways to get off my meds for years. I have been reading books and looking...everywhere on the net for...something! And that post got me started. Well, I now have a blog about my story - I have been off my meds for more than a month and it has now been almost a month since I have had a seizure. That is just amazing and has been unheard of for me for the past 18 years! Now, I am not a doctor and I am not saying this is what EVERYONE should do. We are all different. But, this MAY help people who have been looking for answers, help, guidance on what could work for them in the right direction.

DISCLAIMER: Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.